Teams

Japan

Team profile

Japan, who have hosted every edition the FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup since its inception in 1993, are the only team to have played in all six previous editions. They only have two medals to show for their six previous appearances – both bronze from 2001 and 2013.

Japan were a prominent force in the 1960s and 1970s, winning Olympic gold medals in Tokyo 1964 and Montreal 1976, as well as silver in Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972. They picked up a bronze in Los Angeles 1984 and returned to the Olympic podium after 28 years with a win over Korea in the bronze medal match of London 2012. Last year in Rio 2016 they made the quarterfinals, but finished 5th. Japan have been crowned world champions three times, in 1962, 1967 and 1974. After 32 years without a medal they claimed bronze in 2010, before finishing 7th in 2014. They have also won numerous medals of all colours at the Asian Games and Asian Championships.

Coach

Nakada Kumi

Kumi Nakada replaced Masayoshi Manabe at the helm of the women’s National Team of Japan this year to lead the side to their ‘home’ Olympics in Tokyo 2020. In her playing years as setter, the 51-year-old became a three-time Olympian, including leading Japan to bronze at Los Angeles 1984, followed by 4th place at Seoul 1988 and 5th at Barcelona 1992. After retiring from active duty, she pursued a career as volleyball commentator, before taking up coaching, working at home in Japan as well as in Italy. More recently she has headed the club of Hisamitsu Springs Kobe in the Japan V.Premier League as well as the FIVB Club World Championship.